Rotary fluid-motor.



T. J. LOFTUS.

ROTARY FLUID MOTOR.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. a, 1911 71,093,278. v Patented Apr. 14, 1914.

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T. J. LOFTUS.

ROTARY FLUID MOTOR.

APPLICATION FILED $21 15, 1911.

Patented Apr. 14, 1914.

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mm M a f M i To all whom it may concern Be-it known that I, TrroMAs J.Lorrus, citizen of the U nited States, residing at Gastella, in thecounty of Shasta and State of California, have invented new and usefulimprovements in Rotary Fluiddvfotors, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates toa motor and particularly pertains to a motor'of the explosive impulse-type. i

It is the object of this inventio'n to provide a motor in which a' shaftto be driven may be rotatedat a high and constant speed by means ofaseries of successive explosive impulses which are directed against theteeth of an internal gear mounted on the shaft.

Another object is to provide a motor having a simple and efficient meansfor compressing and explodingvolatile vapors between intermeshing gearteeth, in such manner as to cause'the gears to rotate at high speed;andto-provide a. simple mechanism by meansof which the direction ofrotation of the motor can be quickly reversed.

Another object is to provide a rotary mo tor of the explosive impulsetype which is va'lveless and which is adapted to be mountis a detailhorizontal section on the line ed direct on the shaft to be' driven, and

which motor is capable'of being operated in any position. 1

A-further object is tp provide a-motor, which is light, compact andcapable of generating high speed and power-in proportion to its size andweight.

Otherobjects will becomeapparent hereinafter. 1

The invention consistsof the parts and the construction and combinationof parts,

"as hereinafter more fully described and.

claimed, having reference to the accompany ing' drawings, in-which iFigure 'l is a front elevation with parts broken away. Fig. 2 is avertical longitudinal section *on the line X-'X, Fig. 1.. Fig.

Y Y, F 2. UFigF at is a section on the line'ZZ. Fi 2. .-.F1 4 1s asection on the linefl'v llhl ig. 1; Fig. 6, Sheetl, is a detail of thespark .timer.

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' Specification of Letters Patent. Patenfeffi A fl -14 1 314; 4A'pp1ication filed September 5,-1911. 'Se1'ia1No.t547,550,--"

3 fornisabearing fora "l which extendsan'to the casing andha's'a plate 5in which a series of fanblades dare'formed,

rigidlymounted on its inner end; An in ternally toothed gear 7 isattachedto the plate 5 iii-such mannerthat' th'e'shaft at and isrevolved, as later described.

A pair of pinions 8, revolubly mounted on adjustable shafts 9supportetll in hubslO formed on the cover 2, "nie'sh with'the gear theplate will be rotated when the gear 7 shafts 9, as will be laterdescribed, and that 8 revolves is. offset fronr the portion' of theshaft extending into the plat; and huh 10, in such manner." thathyrotating the shaft 9 a short distance .theipositions of the pinions '8inrela'tion to gear? can be ad justed. This admits of: anyewear on thegearmteeth beingtahenaipssb that a close contact between theintermeshing teeth. can beinaintained.

A set screw 11 is mounted ineachhuh 10 and bears against the shaftQainsuchmarr ner as to lock thelatter-against.movement. Each shaft 9is'tubular and hasta shaft 12 extending lengthwise therethrouch;A dish13 is formed on the. iuner end ofcachshaft l2 and, extending beyond. theouter pe- ,1

riphery. of the shaft 9,.is attached to the pinion Sby means of pin l las shown in Fig. 2, in such manner that when the pinion corresponding innumber to,the teeth on thepinions 8. The teeth of the fs'tar-wheels 15are designed to actuate a nornjiallyvertical plate spring 16, one endriflwh'icli is rigidly mounted onthe outer'face of the end plate 2, withthe other end exteiidinghetween the teeth of the star-wheel la."

The springs 16 are electrically connected to one pol o of any suitablesource of electrical energy, such asa battery, indicated at B,

through a conductor 17 a1 nounted on on posite sides of the springs andextending some distance thereheyohdgw are "contact platesfls ls',whichare dei oed to malre 'andbrealr contacts with terminals in a pairof sparkplugs 19-13?*, the other terminals onest. LOFTUS, orcasrnnmscatrronnm -assicnon or onnnatr re nnniaon a BELL, oroamungcamronnm;= i a'8 on diametrically oppos e sides thereoffi The pnnons S are designed torotate on the of which are connected with the other terminals of thebattery B through a con ductor 20.

The spark plugs 19 are mounted in the end plate 2 and extendtherethrough at a point adjacent to the outer ends of the teeth'onthepinions 8, where the latter mesh with the teeth of theinternalgear 7. A pair of the spark 'plugslt) is provided adjacent to eachpinion 8 and extends through the end plate 2 on .each side of thepinion, as shown in Fig. 2; the sparking pointsof the-plugs 19 beingarranged so as t be opposite the space between the teeth f the pinion 8,which are partly in mesh with the teeth on the gear7.

Means are provided for feeding explosive gases between each of thepinions 8 and the gear 7 in such manner as to be carried forwardas thegear and pinions revolve, and be compressed in the spaces between theteeth thereof, which means are here shown as consisting of needle valves212l which- .are mounted on the end plate 2 to one side of each of thespark plugs 19-19 respectively and are connected by conduits 22' to anysultable source of gas supply under pressure.

' Inthe operation of the invention a pair of needle valves 2121 areopened so as to permit explosive gases to flow into the space betweenthe pinions 8 and the gears 7 at the point where the teeth of the formerare about to traverse into mesh with the teeth of the latter in suchmanner that, as the gear 7 and pinions 8 revolve, the gases will becompressed between the intermeshing teeth.

The moment'the teeth of the pinions 8 are about to leave the teeth ofthe gear 7 the star-wheels 15 act on the s rings 16 so as to cause thecontact f8 to ma e and break contact with the spark plug 19, which actsto cause a spark to jump the gap on the inner end of the spark plug inthe usual manner.

This spark ignites the compressed gases between theteeth of the pinions8 and gear 7 at apoint indicated at a. The expansion of the explodinggas acts to drive the pnnons 8 and the gear 7 ahead in the directionindi- 5O nition of the gases .atthis point through the spark plugs 19.The exploded. gases are scavenged through barriers 22 arranged on eachside of the, pinions 8 and which are mounted on the end plate 2 andextend across the gear 7 in slidable contact with the outer ends of theteeth thereof. Thebarriers 22 also slidably contact the outerfaces ofthe teeth on the pinions 8 and thus pre'- vent the escape of gases atthis point, ex-

cepting such'asmay be carried. around between the teeth of the pinions 8on; the

scavenging side of the pinions.

. Each barrier 22 is formed with a lon t'udinal groove 23 which openstoward t e.

juncture of the pinions 8 with the gear 7 and communicates with apassage 24 formed in the end plate 2 leading to a chamber 25 disposed inthe center thereof; a passage24 leading fronr'each of the barriers.Mounted in the chamber 25 is a revoluble cylinder or drum 26 .in whichports 27, adapted to register with'the outlets of the passages24= in thechamber 25, are formed. 1

The drum 26 is provided with a port 28 which is constantly open to theatmosphere, and this drum 26is designed to be rotated within the chamber25 so as to alternately open and close a pair of the passages 24'; thepassages 24, leading to the barriers 22 on the side of the pinion 8 towhich the explosive gases are. delivered, being closed to prevent theescape ofthe gases at this point; these passages being opened to serveas exhaust passages and those previously closed when it is desired toreverse the direction of rotation of the gear 7, as later described.

A metallicpacking ring 29 is mounted-in an annular groove on" the innerface of the end plate 2 and bears against. the end faces of the gear 7and pinions'8, so asto form a tight closure for the outer ends of thespaces between the gear teeth, and thereby confine the gases to thespaces. Set screws 30- are mounted in the end plate 2 and bear againstthe packing ring 29 and are adapted to be set up so as to keep thepacking ring 29 in close contact with the gear 7 and pinions 8. p

In the form of the invention here disclosed I have shown a pair ofpinions '8. It is manifest, however, that the gear could be rotated inthe manner described by the use of a single pinion or by the employmentof any number of pinions arranged equally distant apart around themterior of the gear 7. In any event, a pan of spark plugs 19-19 and feedvalves 21--21f :will be arranged adjacentto each p1n1on 8,

as shown in Fig. 3; the needle valve 21 'on one side of the pinion 8 andthe spark plug 19 on the other side of the p1n1on-8be1ng employed whenit is desired to rotate the gear 7 in they direction of the arrowb,.F1g. 1. The valve 21' andthe spark lug 19 are not.in operation whenthe gear as just described, but when 1t 18 desired to reverse thedirection of rotation ofthe gear 7, the valve 21 is closed. and thevalve 21 is rotated is tfpened so cas to direct the explosive gases ifih ge pipes 400 leading from any suitable axially. located chamber, andan open conppp'osit side of the Ypinions '8; The source of supply andopening adjacent'to h dIIfGC I n of rotation of the the exposed-teeth ofthegear 'i in such manpin ons 8 reverses the direction of. rotation -neras-to distributea filament of oil thereon. 5. of thel star-wheels lti;this reversal acting g IIttVlHgPfillliS'jgClGSGllbECl' my invention.v 7Q

' on, the springs 16in such manner that the what I claim and desire tosecure by Letters on a t 8'Wi a tonthes rk plug 193a) Patent is .y a a aexplodeqthe gasesjon' the opposite side of the 1. In ainotor 'cfthesuccessive explosion pinions-8,=in whichcase the spark plugs 19type,rhaving..aninternal gear and a pinion Will be out dcommission.Imeshing with said gear,-means for delivcn ,:Means are provided bywhichthe valves ing an explosive mixture between the teeth 21smay; lieshutgofi' and .the valves 21 may of thezgear and- Tpinion on one side ofthe beopened, or 'vice-versa, and the valve drum latteinto be carriedforward by the interl 26 operated "in one operation. This means meshingteeth,means for exploding the mix- 15 is here zshown as consisting of awheel 31 time between the gear and pinion; means'for rigidly mounted ona stem 32 on the drum scavenging the-burnt gases on the. side of 26,'therim of which wheel is slotted at. 33, the pinion: opposite the--point of delivery and'thr'ough which T'slo'ts the stems of the of theexplosivemixture,and valve'means needle valves 21--2l extend, as shownin for-directing the explosive mixture to either 20 Fig. 3. Mounted onthe stem 34'0f each sideof the pinionto governthedirection'of needlevalve 2l21' is a collar 35, and rotation of the gear. I v

wound on the stem between the collar 35 and 2. A motor" comprising aninternal gear, t e wheel rimfil a c sp ng 36 which a pinion'meshihg'with'said gear, a casing act o orm y e i t e need e a e i ainclosing the gear and pinion, barriers on 25 closed PQSifiOIL The 011mlend 0f the Valve the casing arranged on opposite sides of the isthreaded to receive nuts 37 which bear pinion adjacent the teeth of thegear, and against a washer 38 disposed on the stem 34, having thesurfaces contiguous to the pass- Whi ll wash ris adapted to bear againstthe ing teeth carved in arcs to form substanoute'r faceof the wheel rim.31. tially close joints with the teeth, valves on 30 Formed on the outerface f the Wheel said casing, and means controlled by said r'im 31 areraised surfaces or cam faces '39, valves for delivering an explosivemixture 1 and formed on the Wheel rim is a lever to the space inclosedby one barrier and handle 40, bym ns of which t W e m y opening thespace inclosing the other barbe given a reciprocating rotary motion, soie t th tmosphere, I :35 as to cause the cam faces 39 to pass under 3. Amotor comprislng an internal gear, the washers 38, and thereby force thevalve a pinion meshing with said gear, ZL'CZISIDQ; stems 84 outwardly inopposition to the inclosing the gear and p1n1on, barr1ers on springs 35and. thereby open the valve; the the cas ng arranged on oppos te sidesor drum 26 rotating atthe same time to closethe pinion ad acent theteeth of the gear, '40 one'set of the passages 24 andto open the andhaving the surfaces contiguous to the other set to the exhaust. passingteeth curved 1n arcs to form sub- 11-, i anifest any other means for dostantially close joints with the teeth, valves livel ng nd firing 1eXplosive mixture on sald casing, means controlled by said than thathere shown may be employed 1f valves for del verlng an exploslve mixture45 desired, and that the valves and sparking to the space inclosed byone barrier and mechanism are subjectto variations. opening the spaceinclosing the other bar-V i The speed being so great, the number of rierto the atmosphere, and means for ex 'explosives'will-be so numerous thatvirtually plo'ding the mlxture between the meshing a constant arc maybeemployed, if desired. teeth of the gear and plnion to cause them ,'50 Thd plat 2 i open between the passages to rotate I i I 24, so that whenthe gear 7 and the plate 4. An mternal combust1on motor, consist- 5-arerevolved, the fan-blades 6 will act to ing of a cylindr cal case, acentrally 3ourkeep aconstant circulation'of air through naled revolubleinternal gear, a murnaled the, interior of the motor, which acts as aspur gearaneshingthercw1th, annular plates cooling agent. A closecontact between the formlng. oints with the ends of the gear'IlIltQI'l'l'lBShlllQ. teeth is assured by reason of and pinion, meansto introduce an explot-he adjustahility" of the shafts 9, and as asiveminture between the teeth antear ornto further preventative of thegases being a plane ntersect-mg bot-h axis longitu ina y, forced outfrom between the teeth, and at whereby the mixture is compressed betweenthe same time obviate any. danger of back the mesh ng teeth, means toigmte mmfiring between the *interme'shing teeth, a, ture;as the teethcommence to sgpgi t te, a coating of oil is applied constantly to thehollow transverse barrierlocatg p-weeln teeth o -th gear 7 and pinions8, by means the tee h at their polntof separagio k o (:01 of an oilfeeding mechanism of any, sultable duct away the products of com. us1011, an 3807 construction, here shown as consisting of iiection betweenthe barrier and the chaming a cylindrical case having a centrallyjournaled revoluble internally toothed gear, spur gears journaled in thecase and each intermeshing with the teeth of the internal gear, means toform close moving joints at the ends of the gears, nieans to admit anexplosive mixture to be compressed by the approach of the intermeshingteeth, means to ignite the mixture at the instant of greatestcompression and when the teeth com- 4 mence to separate, transversepassages with which the gear teeth form close joints, said passagesconducting the exhaust products, and means to open and close the whenthe engine is reversed. v

6. In an internal combustion engine of thecharacter described, thecombination with an internally toothed gear and spur passages gearsintermeshing with the teeth of the V first-named-gear, of transversehollow tubes 5. An mternal combustlon motor comprislocated at pointswhere the gear teeth separate in their revolution, said tubes havingtheir outer surfaces formed on arcs correconnected, and a drum withports adjustable to' register with theexhaust to run in eitherdirection.

(In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

- THOMAS J. LOFTUS. Witnesses:

- CHARLES EDELMAN, MILTON D. EISNER.

